Delaware County launches ID program aimed at assisting veterans

MEDIA -- County officials launched a photo identification card program Wednesday which will allow veterans access to discounts offered by local businesses and restaurants.

"This is just one way that we can show our appreciation to veterans of all ages who bravely served our country in all branches of the military," said county council Vice Chairman Mario Civera, a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Civera said county employees in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Recorder of Deeds have been working on the program for the past year. Neighboring counties, such as Chester, Bucks and Montgomery, have similar programs in place.

The veteran photo ID card will be issued at no charge to all honorably discharged veterans between 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday at the county Recorder of Deeds office, located in Room 108, in the Government Center in Media. In order to receive the card, veterans must show a DD-214 or equivalent military discharge paperwork and a current photo ID card such as a driver's license.

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After showing the paperwork, veterans will get their photos taken for the card which is issued to them immediately. Civera said if veterans have difficulty finding their discharge paperwork, they can get assistance from employees in the Veterans Affairs office located on the first floor of the Government Center.

There is a similar program at the state level. Gov. Tom Corbett signed House Bill 2428 into law on Oct. 24. The bill has directed the state Department of Transportation to make a special designation on the driver's licenses or PennDOT ID cards, such as a hologram with the letter "V" for veterans who produce honorable discharge papers, according to state Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-Armstrong County, the prime sponsor.

Pyle said it could take up to 18 months for PennDOT officials to implement the program. Pyle said he does not have an issue with counties implementing their own programs. "The more the merrier," he said during a phone interview a few weeks ago.

Civera, a former longtime state legislator, said the county began discussing the program before the state Legislature began working on its program. He said the county wanted to roll out its own program because some veterans may be honorably discharged during the gap before their next driver's license renewal.

The county spent about $7,200 in general fund dollars on this project, according to county spokesman Bill Lovejoy, who also serves as director of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Civera said the county's cards do not include an expiration date and therefore would not qualify as a valid form of voter ID as outlined in the state's new voter ID law that was put on hold this past election. Civera said the county would not turn away veterans who request a photo ID card and live outside of Delaware County.

Delaware County American Legion Commander Martin Costello, a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Vietnam War, commended county officials for their work on the program.

"We usually don't dress this way," Costello said, referring to his military attire. "We don't carry around a sign that says we have served."

Costello said the cards are beneficial to veterans from past and present wars because it will help them spark up conversations with other community members and business owners.

"That's important especially with Vietnam veterans," said Costello, a member of American Legion Post No. 668 in Wayne. "I encourage all Vietnam veterans to get this and also men and women who are coming home today."

Businesses interested in participating in the veterans discount program can contact the county's Department of Veterans Affairs at 610-891-4539. About eight businesses have signed up to date. A list of the participating businesses is available on the county's website, www.co.delaware.pa.us.